Quarter 1 SSR

One of the novels that I had read to fulfill the SSR requirement for this past quarter was Cinder by Marissa Meyer, a science-fiction work composed of 387 pages. The story is from the perspective of a teenaged cyborg adept in mechanics, Cinder. The novel is a loose retelling of the classic story Cinderella, set in a post-apocalyptic Chinese city, New Beijing. The country is raged with outbreaks of plague, calling for an antidote to be discovered and developed immediately. In addition to the devastation caused by the plague, the citizens of earth are caught in a fierce conflict with the inhabitants of the moon, posing a serious threat to the future of the planet. Cinder, gifted with skills and valuable abilities, aids the government in finding a cure for the plague quickly, as, with each passing day, new threats are posed by the citizens of the moon. Cinder must go through a plethora of challenges, including the sudden infection of her step-sister by the plague. Whilst struggling to develop an antidote for the plague victims, Cinder must learn to face her fears and become comfortable in her own skin, for often feeling self-conscious of her synthetic makeup.                     

Cinder was very riveting, filled with action and packed with science and very detailed machinery. The details were spectacular, making it almost impossible for you not to clearly see the city of New Beijing in your mind. The plot was easy to follow, and there was rarely a dull moment; however, at times, the plot moved a bit too quickly for my liking, not delving deeply into some holes. The characters were all well developed and had memorable personalities. The character of Cinder was strong and stood her ground, an enjoyable female character who, wonderfully, did not rely on her male counterpart to solve her problems. There were humorous moments yet a fair share of angry, why-did-this-happen moments as well. The easy, simplistic writing style allowed for a quick read (and lets you advance into the book faster, satisfying the need to know what happens next). This novel consisted one of the most baffling plot twists I have ever read, which offered a refreshing change to the rather predictable novels that are gaining prevalence and popularity.

The novel had been recommended to me by multiple individuals, all testifying its wonder; however, I did not view the book as particularly outstanding. Although I felt that it wasn't exceptional, I enjoyed reading it very much. It was entertaining and the connections with the original tale of Cinderella were well thought-out and savvy. This novel is worth the read, especially if you fancy a dystopian, post-apocalyptic setting.